Optimal design of piping systems using a vibration control device generating an inertial resistance force

Abstract

Mechanical snubbers and inertia mass dampers are known as vibration control devices that have inertia mass elements and generate the inertial resistance force. By adding the devices with the inertia mass elements to piping systems, we aim to reduce various responses of the piping systems during earthquake events. In this study, we propose a design method to optimize design parameters of mechanical snubbers installed on a single cross section beam (continuum model) piping system to achieve good dynamic responses of the beam while maintaining the structural integrity of the beam and the supporting device. A performance index considering various specifications related to mitigation of responses of the piping system for earthquake disturbances and the economic cost for installation of devices with some inequality constraints is defined. Design parameters to optimize the performance index are the number and the model size (capacity) of the mechanical snubbers, the value of the inertia mass and the placement of each snubber. The performance index is optimized with a genetic algorithm. A simulation example shows that we could search the optimal design parameters that show the good performance on vibration suppression while satisfying the considered constraints.